Smad associating polypeptides

Abstract

The invention describes Smad associating proteins (SAPs) and nucleic acids that encode SAPs, including fragments and biologically functional variants thereof, as well as antibodies that bind thereto. Methods and products for using such nucleic acids and polypeptides also are provided.

We claim:  
     
       1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of 
       (a) nucleic acid molecules which hybridize under stringent conditions to a molecule consisting of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 and which code for a polypeptide which binds Smad6, wherein the stringent conditions are hybridization at 65° C. in hybridization buffer (3.5×SSC, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 0.02% Bovine Serum Albumin, 2.5 mM NaH 2 PO 4 (pH7), 0.5% SDS 2 mM EDTA). SSC, is 0.15M sodium chloride/0.015M sodium citrate, pH7; SDS is sodium dodecyl sulphate; and EDTA is ethylenediaminetetracetic acid,  
       (b) nucleic acid molecules that differ from the nucleic acid molecules of (a) in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and  
       (c) complements of (a) and (b).  
     
     
       2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule consists of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
       3. An expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  operably linked to a promoter. 
     
     
       4. A host cell transformed or transfected with the expression vector of  claim 3 . 
     
     
       5. A method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the host cell of  claim 4  under conditions which permit the expression of polypeptide. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising isolating the polypeptide. 
     
     
       7. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
       8. An expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 7  operably linked to a promoter. 
     
     
       9. A host cell transformed or transfected with the expression vector of  claim 8 . 
     
     
       10. A method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the host cell of  claim 9  under conditions which permit the expression of polypeptide. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising isolating the polypeptide. 
     
     
       12. An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of (a) a fragment of nucleotides 1-2399 of SEQ ID NO:3 between 12 and 2398 nucleotides in length that codes for a polypeptide that binds Smad6, and (b) complements of “(a)”, provided that the nucleic acid molecule excludes sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18 and SEQ ID NO:19. 
     
     
       13. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 22 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       14. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 25 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       15. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 30 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       16. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 40 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       17. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 50 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       18. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 75 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       19. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 100 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
       20. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises between 20 and 32 contiguous nucleotides.